Vampire Shrimp?

M

Mooch28

AC Members
Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
Just grabbed one today, and know nothing about them. I bought one about 2 inches long. All i know is that they are suitable for a community tank.

Anyone know anything about these guys? Diet? Maz size? usefulness (algae)? scientific name?

Thanks!
 
Mooch28 said:
Just grabbed one today, and know nothing about them. I bought one about 2 inches long. All i know is that they are suitable for a community tank.

Anyone know anything about these guys? Diet? Maz size? usefulness (algae)? scientific name?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You probably have an Atya gabonensis - an African filter shrimp. A. gabonensis attains an adult length of around six inches, and, though your specimen may accept an occasional shred of the scraped article, does not typically consume algae - it is primarily a filter-feeder, and, as such, will do best on a diet of liquid marine invertebrate foods (most specimens will pick crumbled flakes and pellets from both water column and tank substrate).

- Look to http://www.petshrimp.com/africanfiltershrimp.html for some excellent background information.
- See this link to view some images illustrating the striking degree of variability in coloration (mostly with young specimens) characterizing this species.

Some questions: Can you more precisely describe your setup? With what fish is your shrimp kept?
 
Veneer said:
You probably have an Atya gabonensis - an African filter shrimp. A. gabonensis attains an adult length of around six inches, and, though your specimen may accept an occasional shred of the scraped article, does not typically consume algae - it is primarily a filter-feeder, and, as such, will do best on a diet of liquid marine invertebrate foods (most specimens will pick crumbled flakes and pellets from both water column and tank substrate).

- Look to http://www.petshrimp.com/africanfiltershrimp.html for some excellent background information.
- See this link to view some images illustrating the striking degree of variability in coloration (mostly with young specimens) characterizing this species.

Some questions: Can you more precisely describe your setup? With what fish is your shrimp kept?
Click to expand...

It is the Atya gabonensis!

As for my set-up. Heavily planted 72 gallon, with 30 ppm C02, 3.7 watts per gallon of lighting, 5-10ppm Nitrates, .50-.75 Phosphates, 79-80 degree temp. The tank is also around 7 months old now, which i hear is important for these shrimp so micro bacteria are present in the water.

As for fish......

6 Tiger barbs (very peaceful, didn't even go near the shrimp)
Clown Laches
Dwarf Gouramis
Rainbows
Diamond tetras
Gold nugget Pleko
Apistos

Ive also had rams before with no troubles.

I have a few questions though.

1. Mine is mostly clear right now, which gives off a slight shade of blue in the light. Will the colour come out more with age and time? It's currently around 2 inches.

2. Would a liquid fry food, such as this, once weekly be a good idea?

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22925;category_id=3001

3. Many around here use iodide (iodine) to help them molt or survive molting. I was thinking of adding some of this idione......

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=27621;category_id=2811

Since it does no harm, and cost very little due to the limited dosing, i figured why not with so many good results. Plus, i don't want to loose this super cool shrimp!

Anyways, how much of it should i dose, and how often? (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?

Sorry for asking so much, but id rather be 100% sure then guess!
 
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I think your filter shrimp might be in trouble unless they have a secure hiding spot when molting.
I've got 2 atyopsis gabonensis and have had successful molts but, they hide for a couple of days after molting. I've got mine in a 25g with 2 old platy, a swordtail and some guppies. They have a hiding spot under 2 stacked rocks. When they're fully armoured, you'll see them out and about. I drop crumbled bottom feeder tabs, bloodworms and frozen daphnia disolved in water after lights out.
I added a bit of iodized salt to help with the molt, but marine iodide is recommended. They are best in a species tank. They could be indanger from your barbs and rams which might take advantage when the shrimp are vulnerable afte molting. It takes a couple of days for them to grow back their armour. Barbs might pick at them until they kill them, I wouldn't chance it. If you have a QT tank its best to leave them there.
The shell can be bluish or grey to beige. My larger one is dark blue and the smaller one is a lighter blue.
 
Mooch28 said:
1. Mine is mostly clear right now, which gives off a slight shade of blue in the light. Will the colour come out more with age and time? It's currently around 2 inches.
Click to expand...

Can you take a picture? (It might be stressed.)

Mooch28 said:
2. Would a liquid fry food, such as this, once weekly be a good idea?

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22925;category_id=3001
Click to expand...

Once weekly, if the sole element of your specimen's diet, may not prove to be frequent enough. I would either directly dose the liquid (as through a clean eyedropper) once a day or so, in addition to finely crumbled flakes (provided via tweezers), or provide it on a supplemental basis alongside a regular regimen of flakes.

Mooch28 said:
3. Many around here use iodide (iodine) to help them molt or survive molting. I was thinking of adding some of this idione......

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=27621;category_id=2811

Since it does no harm, and cost very little due to the limited dosing, i figured why not with so many good results. Plus, i don't want to loose this super cool shrimp!

Anyways, how much of it should i dose, and how often? (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?
Click to expand...

The utility of supplemental dosing of iodide is controversial, to say the least (and has seen correlation with the inducement of an unhealthy frequency of molting) - do you presently have any on hand?
 
I agree with the suggestions for species-housing the filter feeders, wherever they are from. I have not had good long-term results co-housing these shrimp with fish. On their own they are easy if you are willing to provide their foods. I've had more experience with the Singapore shrimp, my Gabon shrimp is relatively new, but in a species tank where it will stay.
 
Veneer said:
Can you take a picture? (It might be stressed.)



Once weekly, if the sole element of your specimen's diet, may not prove to be frequent enough. I would either directly dose the liquid (as through a clean eyedropper) once a day or so, in addition to finely crumbled flakes (provided via tweezers), or provide it on a supplemental basis alongside a regular regimen of flakes.



The utility of supplemental dosing of iodide is controversial, to say the least (and has seen correlation with the inducement of an unhealthy frequency of molting) - do you presently have any on hand?
Click to expand...


First off, i meant a greyish colour, not clear.

Secondly, no i don't have any iodine on hand, but people have had good results, so i figured id try it. As for putting them in a species only tank, i'll might have to do that, but like i said, my barbs are amazingly calm, and i still have all three of my ghost shrimp alive in the same tank. Forgot to mention them. Ive had them for about 2 months now.

As for Kent Iodine, how much should i dose, and how often, if i decide to use it?

Thanks everyone!
 
I'd worry about the tiger barbs and the clown loaches but I was told they should be ok with livebearers and small tetras and peaceful fish in a community setting. I tried them alone in a species tank, but it looked so empty I added a couple platy and 5 guppy and a lone female swordtail. I added a bit of salt to the tank (iodized table salt) because I can't find any marine iodide.

I'd like to know how to dose it as well.
 
Swimfins said:
I'd worry about the tiger barbs and the clown loaches but I was told they should be ok with livebearers and small tetras and peaceful fish in a community setting. I tried them alone in a species tank, but it looked so empty I added a couple platy and 5 guppy and a lone female swordtail. I added a bit of salt to the tank (iodized table salt) because I can't find any marine iodide.

I'd like to know how to dose it as well.
Click to expand...

kent marine iodine at 1 drop per 10 gallons of water,but some use 2
 
markbow said:
kent marine iodine at 1 drop per 10 gallons of water,but some use 2 .Oh yea thats 1 to 2 drops per 1 gallons weekly. i dose that much with my weekly water changes.
Click to expand...
 
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